Description

Singing the same song is a central part of the worship practice for members of the Cherubim and Seraphim Christian Church in Lagos, Nigeria. Vicki L. Brennan reveals that by singing together, church members create one spiritual mind and become unified around a shared set of values. She follows parishioners as they attend choir rehearsals, use musical media—hymn books and cassette tapes—and perform the music and rituals that connect them through religious experience. Brennan asserts that church members believe that singing together makes them part of a larger imagined social collective, one that allows them to achieve health, joy, happiness, wealth, and success in an ethical way. Brennan discovers how this particular Yoruba church articulates and embodies the moral attitudes necessary to be a good Christian in Nigeria today.

Author Bio

Vicki L. Brennan is Associate Professor of Religion and Director of the African Studies Program at the University of Vermont.

Reviews

“By looking at song and sound as critically important aspects of worship, Vicki L. Brennan provides an excellent and detailed analysis of Yoruba Christianity, its practice, and its impact on church members.”
— Elisha P. Renne, author of Yoruba Religious Textiles

Customer Reviews

Table of Contents

PrefaceAcknowledgmentsNote on Language and Translation1. Singing the Same Song2. Onward Christian Soldiers3. The Voice of the Spirit4. Take Control5. Straight to Heaven6. In His Steps7. Living in the Spirit8. Show the Glory of GodEpilogueGlossary of Yoruba TermsBibliographyIndex